Should mums-to-be who drink be branded criminals?
A landmark case addressing this question is currently underway in the United Kingdom.
Lawyers for a seven-year-old child with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, argue the child should receive compensation from the government-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority as this child has been the victim of a crime. In this case the mother is alleged to have drunk heavily during pregnancy, despite warnings that this might harm her unborn child. For compensation to be awarded, the court must agree that the mother’s actions were criminal
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/how-safe-is-alcohol-use-in-pregnancy-20141111-11k7nj.html